The Art of Conversation

[ELI WESLEY]

“I know ya’ll do.” The seductiveness of Nicholas’ tone drew Eli’s big, nervous eyes to the handsome face beside him. Why did those words sound so foreboding? "I was thinkin' more along th' lines uh loud music an' dancin', but I can respect ya'll’s wish tuh keep talkin'. For tonight. That won' become habit, I assure yuh that. I expect ya'll to come along fo' th' ride and it seems your willin' enough, but tonight’s ya'll’s night." So he expected Eli to be a pushover. Apparently Nicholas had read him pretty accurately so far. Eli knew and fully embraced the fact that he was a pushover. It did bother him a little that Nicholas warned him he wouldn’t talk much in the future. Was there a future for them? It was much too early to say, but Eli wondered why we wouldn’t want to talk. There were always skeletons hiding where silence was preferred. He was shocked out of his wonderings by the feel of a warm hand on his knee. It took a lot not to jump at the touch, though it was obvious by the way he looked down at the hand so quickly that he was surprised. Nicholas squeezed gently and heat rushed to Eli’s face. Not that he didn’t like it…He liked it more when those long fingers slid slightly higher on his thigh then dipped inward, hooking around to the back of his knee. Half of the heat in his face crept into his groin, his heart pumping fast. It was such a simple touch, but it lit Eli on fire. His drooping green eyes came to Nicholas’ hesitantly, afraid he would betrayed how excited he was by such a small gesture. It made him feel like a teenager. "An’ fo' the record, I don't do karaoke." The sudden statement made Eli give a breathy laugh, realizing suddenly that he’d been holding his breath. It caught again in his chest when Nicholas squeezed his leg once more. And just like that, the sneaky hand was gone, leaving Eli to catch his breath and cool his head…both of them. “I know where we can talk.” The announcement was rather sudden, but not as sudden as Nicholas’ turn. Instinctively, Eli grabbed the handle hanging from the ceiling, ready to be jostled around again. When Nicholas brought his car to an abrupt halt, Eli could feel his whole body tense up. He wasn’t much for aggressive driving, but he wouldn’t complain. “We’re here.”

Eli climbed out, stretching his long legs before turning to look at the place they’d just pulled up to. He could hear the music pumping from here…so why did Nicholas say they could talk here? Frowning slightly, he glanced to the man he’d come here with. Was he just messing with him? He’d said he respected his desire to talk…Of course, Eli had the suspicion that was now turning to a certainly that Nicholas was the type to test others. Eli figured this was yet another test for him to pass. They walked to the door together, Nicholas pulling out bills to pay what Eli assumed was an entry fee. That was nice of him…The other man cocked his brow as he waited for Eli to walk through the unusual curtained door. Assuming he was being polite, Eli gave a smile and walked in ahead of Nicholas, ready to inspect this joint. When his eyes adjusted to the cool blue lighting, he realized Nicholas wasn’t being polite; he was preventing Eli from running the other way.

There were boobs out everywhere. Big ones, small ones, all different hues. Blinking, Eli realized he was just looking at the strippers up on the poles. He had to catch himself and close his mouth bashfully while his eyes surveyed the rest of the scene. Scantily clad women were being gawked at everywhere among the groups of men. But unlike Eli, these men had hunger and burning interest in their eyes. He was the only one gaping like a teenager. The truth was, he’d never been to a strip club before. His family was very religious and even though he didn’t necessarily buy into religion, he had always viewed these places as dens of iniquity. Gulping, he rubbed the back of his neck furiously, looking frantically at Nicholas. Why had he brought him here of all places? What was the point of this test? Afraid of failing it, he cleared his throat and softened his shocked expression, shoving his hands in his pockets as he hustled to follow Nicholas to the back of the club. He was awfully familiar with this place. It didn’t surprise Eli, but he did question why he would come here often when he was handsome enough to get any woman. Or man, for that matter.

Upstairs it was quieter and classier, bottles of Grey Goose on every table attesting to the fact that this level was for men with bigger wallets. It probably normally out of his price range, but Nicholas seemed to have money to burn. And the women…they were pretty downstairs, but the ones up here were beautiful. Their outfits were skimpy, but dazzling, more tasteful than the g-strings and bustiers showcased on the lower level. He gulped, gawking too long and jumping into step when he realized Nicholas was making for a table. What else could he do? He didn’t want to be ungracious by bolting for the door even though he desperately wanted to. The man needed to be much drunker than he was now. Eli took his seat beside Nicholas, trying to force his long, lean body to appear relaxed but not succeeding as well as he’d hoped. “This ain’t too loud, now is it?” The question drew Eli’s wide-eyed gaze and he gave a lopsided, jittery smile. “I suppose not…” he replied, trailing off a bit. This wasn’t what he had in mind at all. "Now let's do that gettin' tuh know yuh thing started over drinks an' lap dances." Eli forced a laugh, shaking his head slightly. “Not so sure if I’ll be able to talk over a lap dance.” The anxious words tumbled out before he could reconsider them as to amateurish. Would Nicholas think less of him if he admitted he’d never been to a strip club before? The most Eli had been witness to was girls in cowboy boots taking their wet, white tops off as they danced on a wooden bar. Nicholas began to pour them drinks and Eli nervously swept the women’s faces with his eyes. "Which one ya'll wanna lap dance from? Yuh get pick uh the litter up here, son." When Eli looked at Nicholas, his smile was dazzling and charming, making Eli only return a halfhearted grin in return. He definitely wasn’t wrong about Nicholas testing him. So how should he try to play this?

Attempting to remain collected, he glanced with feigned nonchalance at the group of beauties gliding through the tables. “I’m not sure that any of them stand out…” Just as the words were leaving his lips, a pair of big brown eyes caught his gaze. A golden-haired beauty with perfectly tanned skin smiled at him with plump, pink lips that shimmered in the muted lighting. She was wearing black panties with snow white trimming and a matching corset with a plunging cleavage. The girl had a phenomenal body—perfectly round breasts that weren’t too large and voluptuous hips that swayed as she walked toward him. Wait…she was walking toward him. His eyes shot to Nicholas who was studying him with a mysterious grin, his hand lowering to his thigh. It was obvious he had waved the girl over and now Eli didn’t know what to do with himself. Gulping, he tried to minimize his panic as he looked back at the enchanting girl sauntering toward him. Already he could feel his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. But she sure smelled good as she leaned in close…

“What’s your name, sugar?” she cooed in her smooth, medium-pitched voice. There were flecks of glitter on her powder soft cheeks. “Uh…Eli,” he answered with an uncertain voice, the closeness of her pretty face throwing him for a loop. Her laugh was sweet as she placed a seductive hand on his forearm, his own hand frozen and resting tense on his thigh. He swallowed hard, trying not to get sucked into her deep, dark eyes. “Nice to meet you, Eli. I’m Angel.” Eli gave a slow, lopsided smile in return, hardly noticing the way her hand slid up his arm toward his shoulder. “Nice to meet you too, Angel.” Again she laughed, her eyes fluttering over his face. “You are just the cutest thing! Is this your first time in a place like this, sweetie?” Suddenly he flushed deep red, reminded that he had a man he was trying to impress nearby. Nicholas’ eyes were glued to him. Would he think him childish if he answered truthfully? Angel’s long, perfectly manicured fingers now brushed along his cheek, forcing him to look into those big doe eyes again. Her smile was kittenish, pushing her fingers back into his dark hair and gripping a handful of it. Eli couldn’t look away from her. “Don’t you worry, baby. I’ll take good care of you.” He swallowed hard again, watching as she stepped back to begin her dance.

And it was quite a dance. She dropped down into a squat before him, spreading her legs seductively. He was intrigued, but the more she danced away from him, the more he found her dance to be nothing more than a series of choreographed moves. She bent over before him, showing off her perfectly round ass, but he found himself glancing over to Nicholas. He was more interested in having him naked than Angel. Just the thought excited him…But when the girl leaned over him and found her way into his lap, he couldn’t escape those doe eyes. She kept them fixed on him as she ground against his thighs, her hands gripping the back of the chair. Her breasts brushed against his chest and Eli found himself actually relaxing into the rhythm of her movements. He glanced at her pretty lips, knowing she wouldn’t kiss him but intrigued by how close they came to his own mouth. Their noses even brushed against each other. His hands absentmindedly found their way to her hips, but she was quick to grab them and nudge them away, a coy smile on her mouth. “No touching, honey. Just watch and enjoy.” He gave a smile in return, letting his hands fall to his sides once again. Angel leaned back, her long, softly curled hair cascading over his knees while her hips continued to gyrate on his thighs. She was beautiful and he was excited, but once again his eyes wandered back to Nicholas. What was he thinking about all of this?

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Eli was attempting a calm facade, but the man wasn't as convincing as he probably thought he was. Not to Nicholas, anyway. He inwardly grinned at the other mans unease, take a shot of the vodka and letting it burn down his throat and warm his belly. The would need something to chase their shots with. He intended for them to get drunk, or at least Eli. He wanted the other man to be tripping over his own feet on the way out, though he wasn't sure he could convince the reserved man to do something so foolish. He seemed the responsible type, after all. “I’m not sure that any of them stand out…” He snorted at the bullshit lie, glancing around just as Eli's eyes landed on Angel. He'd received dances from the girl before, but never had the pleasure of bringing her home. There were a handful of girls who more than willingly climbed into his passenger seat after their shifts. With the tips he offered and his charm, they couldn't really resist. It helped he'd spiked some of their drinks with his own concoctions that made them a bit more persuadable.

Angel glanced over and Nick beckoned her with a finger, nodding his head towards Eli and offering a knowing sort of smile. She returned the look and made her way over, eyes only for Eli. Nick watched Eli as the girl approached, wondering how he would respond to the lovely lady pawing at him. He knew the other man liked women, they'd already discussed that, and it wasn't as if he would allow Nick to bring a women into bed, so this was the next best thing. He was clearly unhinged by all of this which further amused Nick as Angel introduced herself and struck up some conversation. “You are just the cutest thing! Is this your first time in a place like this, sweetie?” Nick's smile widened as he lounged more in his seat, watching the color creep back into Eli's cheeks and down his neck. He wondered how many shades of red he could turn him when he finally brought him to bed.

Eli's silence at Angel's question was answer enough for the group. It was the answer Nick had expected. Boy's like Eli didn't visit facilities like this, even the high end ones like they were currently sitting in. Not unless they were a groomsmen attending a bachelor party. “Don’t you worry, baby. I’ll take good care of you.” Angel went ahead and began her routine and Nick was torn as to where his eyes should stay focused. He looked between the sexy show before him and the pink man at the receiving end of the dance. Eli's eyes flashed his way a few times and he made sure to stare him down each time, wondering what sort of things were running through the other mans head. He was clearly enjoying himself, Nick could see that, but was he analyzing Nick some more? There wasn't a single doubt in his mind.

A waitress came over and Nick ordered them some drinks while Angel performed. He pulled his wallet out and slipped a few bills onto the table for Angel. He always made sure to treat the girls well there so they'd return the favor when he came in with business. As far as Angel was concerned, Eli was one of his clients that he was trying to woo, and Nick would reward her fittingly. Eli's eyes moved came to Nick's and he watched back, that amused, but somehow dangerous look glistening in his eyes. He smirked and nodded to the girl on his lap. "I ain't payin' her so ya'll can watch me." He taunted and broke eye contact as the waitress arrived with their drinks. He gave her more than enough to cover the cost and plenty extra to keep her coming back regularly to check on them.

Eli's eyes finally darted back to the girl and Nick watched as she moved her body over his new friend. It turned him on to watch, to see Eli so nervous and excited while Angel moved with comfort and ease. He wouldn't mind having a go with Angel himself, but he had a feeling she would need some persuasion in the form of a potion to agree. Surely his bedside manners had been discussed there. When Angel finished she moved to him, sliding her hands over his shoulders to the back of his chair and moving onto his lap. Her head cocked to the side and her lips quirked up at the corner playfully. "You want a turn tonight, sugar?" He smiled back, slipping a hundred into her waistband. "Not tonight, sweet heart." He purred, giving her thigh a gentle squeeze though he knew it was against the rules. She narrowed her eyes playfully at him and slipped off his chair. "Let me know if yah change your mind." She cooed back and Nick gave a nod, sipping his drink and turning back to Eli. He cocked his own head to the side, smirking at Eli as he looked him over. The bulge in his pants was obvious and Nick's eyes lingered a moment too long before he looked back to his eyes. "What'd ya'll think uh your first lap dance?" He asked, his tone bordering on mocking. "There's plen'y more if ya'lls interested." His grin grew wider and he chuckled as he drank from his glass.

[ELI WESLEY]

Eli felt his stomach jolt at the amused but dangerous glint in Nicholas’ eyes as he gazed back at the nervous man with a gyrating beauty on his lap. What was it about that look that was so captivating? And why were his eyes glued to Eli’s? “I ain’t payin’ her so ya’ll can watch me.” Eli neck and cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, his eyes falling back on Angel as she righted herself once more, leaning in towards his face. Would she know from Nicholas’ comment what their relationship was? It wasn’t that he minded people knowing he was bisexual but he always felt awkward when he felt others hinted at it in their joking with him. But that was silly—Angel wouldn’t know from that little bit. The girl’s big brown eyes sucked him in again. He wondered if she could felt his heart hammering against his ribcage. Her knowing smile told him she probably could. She leaned into his ear and he was sure she would tease him about it, but instead she whispered, “Feels like you’ve got quite the nice surprise hidden in those slacks.” The taunt made his whole body twitch, but it was his groin that felt the squeeze of his excitement the most. He cleared his throat, trying to rein in his growing boner and Angel giggled melodically. “You really are just adorable.” Her cooing voice tickled his ear and his head was spinning. Did she tease all of her clients like this? He felt hot and wished he could loosen the tie that Nicholas had so meticulously tightened around his neck. All he could do was swallow hard and force a nervous smile to his red face. “That’s very flattering coming from you.” Again Angel giggled, bringing her hands to his shoulders to support herself as she pushed up away from him. With a few more sways and drops of her hips, the girl brought her dance to an end and slid away from him.

Free of Angel’s perfume and warmth, Eli took a moment to catch his breath and clear his head. How amateur for him to get so excited by a dancing girl. It was like he was a teenage boy with no experience. His throat was dry, so he poured himself a shot of vodka and kicked it back with a grimace. He didn’t even notice that Angel had moved to Nicholas until he heard her voice. “You want a turn tonight, sugar?” “Not tonight, sweetheart.” Eli lifted his green eyes curiously, reaching for the other drink that had magically appeared before him while Angel was distracting him. The two looked and sounded like they had met before. So Nicholas was regular enough that the girls recognized him. Nicholas also didn’t get punished for squeezing Angel’s thigh, a pretty strong sign that they at least knew each other. Eli took a sip of his drink while he pondered this, needing something to take the edge off. “Let me know if yah change your mind.” The lilting Southern accent she sported must have gotten Angel good tips. It was as hypnotic as Nicholas’ Cajun drawl. Eli watched her walk away, smiling when she winked at him, before he turned and found Nicholas watching him. "What'd ya'll think uh your first lap dance? There's plen'y more if ya'll’s interested." The slightly mocking tone in Nicholas’ voice actually made Eli chuckle a bit, sipping from his drink and crossing his long legs to hide the still obvious bulge in his pants. “I’m okay for now, thanks. I could use a breather after that performance.” A shy, breathy laugh left him, his neck still pink with embarrassment. “I guess it’s pretty obvious I’ve never been to a place like this, huh? The closest thing I’ve ever experienced to that before now was a stripper at my brother’s bachelor party.” He scratched the back of his head bashfully, his lopsided grin lending him an air of apologetic naïveté.

“But you seem pretty comfortable here. Do—“ Before he could finish his question, he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and he turned quickly in surprise. Angel was standing behind him, one of her hands creeping into his breast pocket and slipping a piece of paper in there. Still confused, Eli’s eyes were wide as Angel leaned into his ear again. “That’s my number. In case you ever want more than a dance.” Gulping, his cheeks were bright red again when he looked up at her in astonishment as she pulled back a bit. Something about his expressions must have tickled her because she was giggling at him again. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his cheek quickly, leaving behind a shimmering mark with her lip gloss and the warmth of her soft mouth. Completely bewildered, he watched her walk away, smiling crookedly when she winked at him cutely over her shoulder. She sure knew how to work a man. His eyes fell back on Nicholas’ and he shook his head gently before taking a sip of his drink. “Sorry, uh…I wasn’t expecting that.” Leaning forward slightly, he cleared his throat and gave his full attention back to his real object of interest. “I was going to ask if you come here often. You seem to know your way around and you and Angel seemed to recognize each other.” He suddenly realized how his question could be interpreted and he jumped a little, worried he’d given the wrong impression. “Not that I’m judging or anything like that. I’m just curious as to why a charming man like you would even come to a place like this.” His smile was bashful and curious with a hint of flirtatiousness.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

“I’m okay for now, thanks. I could use a breather after that performance.” Nick grinned, charmed by Eli's small breathy laugh and the way he bashfully crossed his legs in the hopes of hiding the proof of his enjoyment. “I guess it’s pretty obvious I’ve never been to a place like this, huh? The closest thing I’ve ever experienced to that before now was a stripper at my brother’s bachelor party.” So he had a brother. A married brother. A married brother who had allowed a stripper at his bachelor party. Nick was strangely curious about that, but he wouldn't ask. He was just intrigued that Eli's brother seemed more open than he was, but of course he could simply be assuming things about the other man. No need to assume, not yet. He had no reason to really be curious about Eli's family. He was just a fuck he would be stringing along, nothing serious. Nick didn't do serious, he simply wanted to fuck with the young man, screw with his mind.

“But you seem pretty comfortable here. Do—“ Nick cocked his head to the side, half because of the question Eli was about to ask, and half because Angel had slipped behind Eli and wrapped her thin arms around his shoulder. He had mixed feelings about the moves the stripper was laying on his prey. Angel couldn't have known Nick's intentions though, so he forgave her transgressions silently, but he scrutinized everything Eli did. “That’s my number. In case you ever want more than a dance.” Eli's cheeks grew the same red they did for Nick when he did something flirty, and though he didn't show it a part of him raged. Angel pecked his cheek, lip gloss glimmering in the cool, dim blue lights of the club. Eli's crooked smile showed he was more than just flattered. He was flat out turned on by what the girl had done, not that Nick could entirely blame him. She was hot, and he'd called her over to work her magic, but Eli should have known better than to show any amount of interest in front of Nick. It was the first thing, likely on a list of many, that he would hold over the mans head during their short courtship.

“Sorry, uh…I wasn’t expecting that.” Nick said nothing. Of course he didn't expect that, the idiot. Most girls didn't do that. Angel had never done that to any of his clients, and never to him either. It further proved that Eli was a better catch than he gave himself credit for. “I was going to ask if you come here often. You seem to know your way around and you and Angel seemed to recognize each other.” A brow quirked up. Eli really had the audacity to ask that question? “Not that I’m judging or anything like that. I’m just curious as to why a charming man like you would even come to a place like this.” He offered a bashful sort of smile as if to apologize. Nick took a sip and looked over to catch Jasmine doing a routine on one of the poles set up on the top floor. He'd taken her home once, but she had found his performance to be a little rougher than she wanted and steered clear of him now. Just watching her reminded him of that, and gave him a sick twisted twinge of satisfaction. "It's nice not'uh work for attention, Eli." He cooed. "Not everyone I'm intuh-rested in fuckins as willin' tuh come on out with me as ya'll were." His eyes flashed back to Eli, attempting to put him in his place a little. "But if yuh must know, I do some private business from time tuh time, an' I bring my clients here. It's easy tuh schmooze a man when he's intoxicated an' has a pair uh perky tits in his face. Like those." He nodded to Jasmine who had pulled her flashy bra off and was showing her wrack, though some pasties were stuck over her nipples. When Eli looked over Nick found himself staring back at the other man, watching him, analyzing him. He let his eyes move to the spot between his legs, but them being crossed made it hard to tell how hard he was.

"For the record, I ain't evuh seen Angel offer her numbuh to anyone b'fore." Eli's eyes came back to his and he met his gaze. "Musta seen somethin' in ya'll she liked. Might like tuh hold onto that numbuh for when we're done foolin' around." There was an edge of bitterness in his tone, clearly insinuating they weren't going to last, and that he wasn't entirely pleased with Eli scoping out prospects while they were together, even if he hadn't done so intentionally. "Then ya'll can be uh strippuh's man. They make good money here, an' she'd look real fancy on your arm." He teased, sipping his drink. He suddenly wanted to fuck Eli. Now. Assert his dominance, show him that the only person who should be getting him hard was him, but they weren't at that point. They'd just met, and Nick had to bide his time, be patient. "Would yuh like that? Showin' Miss Angel off to all ya'lls friends?"

[ELI WESLEY]

"It's nice not'uh work for attention, Eli. Not everyone I'm intuh-rested in fuckins as willin' tuh come on out with me as ya'll were." Really? Eli didn’t argue, but it just seemed so strange. The moment Eli had found out Nicholas was interested in him at all, he was willing to go along for the ride. Then again, Eli was aware that was a weakness in his character—he didn’t have confidence in himself so when anyone showed interest, especially someone as attractive as Nicholas, he was quick to take the bait. The look Nicholas gave him made Eli feel like he was pointing that out in his own way and Eli couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. "But if yuh must know, I do some private business from time tuh time, an' I bring my clients here. It's easy tuh schmooze a man when he's intoxicated an' has a pair uh perky tits in his face. Like those." Eli followed Nicholas’ nod and gaze and watched as a dark-skinned beauty removed her flashy bra, her nipples barely concealed. He swallowed, not used to this openly naked atmosphere. The woman was gorgeous, but he wasn’t all that turned on by her revealed breasts. Wasn’t she embarrassed to reveal so much of herself? Part of her must have been…His boner was quickly dying down now that he was really calm enough to consider why these girls were here. What circumstances brought them to this place? He was too analytical—that’s why he could only enjoy placed like this for so long. Angel had caught him by surprise, but now he was starting to wonder about her too.

"For the record, I ain't evuh seen Angel offer her numbuh to anyone b'fore." The comment drew Eli’s eyes back to his partner, surprised. Really? She never did that? "Musta seen somethin' in ya'll she liked. Might like tuh hold onto that numbuh for when we're done foolin' around.” Nicholas’ tone made him frown. There was the threat of a short-lived dalliance in his voice and Eli wasn’t sure how to feel about it. It wasn’t like he was expecting anything permanent with the man, but he didn’t want to talk about their end before they’d even begun. That was just so defeatist to him…it made a pit form in his stomach. "Then ya'll can be uh strippuh's man. They make good money here, an' she'd look real fancy on your arm." Eli’s brow furrowed slightly over his green eyes. Was Nicholas jealous? Eli suddenly realized that accepting Angel’s number might have invited this unwelcome talk of looking at their ending. It looked like he was scoping other prospects. That hadn’t been his intention at all…"Would yuh like that? Showin' Miss Angel off to all ya'll’s friends?" Eli reached into his pocket for the piece of paper with Angel’s number on it. Underneath it had her real name: Sara. After glancing at it, Eli placed it on the table and hid it beneath a napkin before pushing it away. He didn’t want her to be offended by seeing the piece of paper just left on the table for the world to see. That might be embarrassing for her, especially if she didn’t give her number out. The last thing he wanted to do was humiliate the beautiful woman. When the paper was across the table from him, he looked back at Nick and folded his hands in front of him. “I’d much rather show you off.” He flushed at being so forward, but it was a genuine statement. Angel was all sex appeal and beauty. Nicholas was those things too, but there was something about him that struck a deep-seeded curiosity in Eli. He wanted to know him and he wanted others to know that such a handsome man was actually with him.

Unable to hold Nicholas’ gaze any longer, he grabbed his drink and finished it off. He needed some liquid courage but it made him self-conscious to know that Nicholas was watching his every move. It would be obvious that Eli was trying to calm his nerves. Not that it wasn’t already…but still! No need to make it blatant. He looked over at Nicholas and gave a small smile. “What about you? Aren’t you interested in any of the girls here?” Nicholas had barely looked at any of them, which was only further confirmation for Eli that this was some kind of test meant for him. He just couldn’t tell if he was passing it or not.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Nick's eyes were trained on Eli as his nimble fingers slipped into his pocket, fishing Angel's number out. He slipped the little paper beneath a napkin and slid it away. Nick let his gaze fall on the napkin for a moment, studying it briefly before letting his attention come back to the man who was accompanying him. “I’d much rather show you off.” Nick wanted to snort a laugh but held it back, not even smiling. His face remained stoic at Eli's attempt to make him feel important once more, not that he even faltered for a moment thinking Eli was interested in anyone but him. Not seriously. But would Eli want to show him off? Was he ready to come out like that? Being bi made Nick wonder how serious Eli was about the whole dating one or the other scene. He believed that people who wanted relationships tended to sway one way over the other. Nick stayed on the fence because a relationship wasn't something he thrived to have. If he did, he wasn't entirely sure which side he would choose, though. Probably women. Girl were easier to dominate and were more likely to be pushovers, making it easier for him to hide things. But Nick wasn't really in the market. No one was capable of keeping him intrigued long enough.

Eye contact became too difficult for the ever nervous Eli and he soon broke it in exchange for his drink. Nick didn't falter, watching with mild contempt. Silence seemed to make things more difficult, and he had little to say on the matter at hand. Eli either got tired of the quiet or found some courage in his liquor, because he finally looked back up, offering a small smile. “What about you? Aren’t you interested in any of the girls here?” Nicholas considered the question for a moment before answering. "Not fo' their minds." He said in a smooth voice. "Women here, they're good fo' fuckin' an' tha's it. They want pretty things, men tuh treat em' like ladies, an' I'm not intuhrested in sharin' my women with othuh men. I'll gladly take em home an' show'm a good time, though." His eyes briefly flashed to Jasmine before back to Eli. He reached onto the table and grabbed the napkin that Angel's number was under and slid it closer before picking it up and pressing it into his pocket. "Enough on that mattuh. Ya'll got some drinkin' to do."

Nick poured Eli another shot and ordered another round of drinks. He sipped his slowly but encouraged his partner to continue drinking as they chit chatted about this and that. Although he was hesitant, Eli did end up drinking enough that it would be unsafe for him to drive, and that's when Nick decided it was time for them to go. Neither of them wanted any more entertainment from the women, though Angel passed by a couple times, winking and flirting with Eli. Nick was quiet and cool when she did, knowing it wouldn't go anywhere, but deep down he bubbled with annoyance. Eli was his catch and he didn't like other animals sniffing around, expecting a bite. He kept the number anyways, intending to pass it back to Eli when he was through with him, figuring he could at least get a good lay or two from the pretty stripper afterwards. Hell, maybe Nick would call Angel for Eli. He chose to let his drawl stay heavy, but he certainly could fake a northern accent just fine.

Nick didn't bother to offer Eli a ride home. He wanted to keep him close, not finished with him quite yet, and brought him back to his condo for them to drink and talk some more. Once inside Nick made his way to the bar and poured them more drinks, even though Nick was obviously getting on the heavily buzzed side. Nick wondered how often the man actually went out and drank. "Ya'll are welcome tuh stay here fo' th'night if you're intuhrested. My couch folds out into uh nice bed." He made it clear in that statement that he didn't intend to take Eli to bed with him. Not yet. The bed was special, it was his, and he didn't usually let his fucks come to bed with him on the first night. It was just one of his rules. "Othuhwise ya'll need a cab, cause it just isn' safe enough for ya'll tuh drive. Don't need tuh read no articles 'bout any therapists totalin' their cars." He made his way next to Eli, loosening the tie and popping the top button. "I could loan ya'll some pajamas if yuh like." His voice was more gentle now, his eyes trained at the bit of skin he just exposed. He wanted to bend Eli over the couch and take him there, but he would behave. For now. He wondered if he could do it all night or if he would lose the battle and come out to the couch. "OR ya'll can just sleep in this, or your boxers." He took a step back and sipped his drink before any more ideas flashed into his head. "I got spare evry'thing. Toothbrushes and so on. So what'll it be? Am I pullin' out sheets or callin' a cab?"

He knew the answer before Eli opened his mouth.

[ELI WESLEY]

"Not fo' their minds. Women here, they're good fo' fuckin' an' tha's it. They want pretty things, men tuh treat em' like ladies, an' I'm not intuhrested in sharin' my women with othuh men. I'll gladly take em home an' show'm a good time, though.” Eli silently mulled that answer over. So did that mean Nicholas was interested in him for his mind? Or was he just another one night stand? It didn’t matter; he would go home with Nicholas regardless, but he liked to think he was a valuable mind. As Eli was pondering this, he watched Nicholas’ hand reach out and grab the napkin with Angel’s number under it. His brow furrowed, looking uncertainly at Nicholas. Without any explanation, the handsome man slid the piece of paper into his pocket. Did he intend to use it at a future time? It irked Eli on one level that he was the one who was given the number and he had been kind enough to set it aside for his companion, but now his companion was planning to take advantage of his kindness. But he reminded himself that the plan the whole time had just to go home with Nicholas; there were no other promises. Nicholas acted like it was nothing and Eli decided to do the same. "Enough on that mattuh. Ya'll got some drinkin' to do." He smiled and let Nicholas pour him a shot, deciding he could loosen up some.

But even after Eli was pretty tipsy, Nicholas kept pouring him shots. They chitchatted while they drank, yet Nicholas didn’t drink nearly as much as Eli. The slightly bigger man tried to turn the endless shots and other drinks down when he could feel his head spinning, but Nicholas was insistent. And the more he drank, the braver Eli felt. What did it matter if he never saw this handsome stranger again? He was getting laid! He even graciously accepted Angel’s flirtatious comments without blushing so much whenever she came by. When he was toasted, Nicholas suddenly decided it was time to go. The ride was a bit of a blur, but it gave Eli a chance to come to his senses a little. Not that it lasted very long—Nicholas had them drinking again when they returned to his condo. It was getting to the point that he would need to sober up some soon if he intended not to make a fool of himself. He could handle a lot of liquor, but even big guys like him had a limit. At least he was at a point that he was comfortable spending the night with a relative stranger.

"Ya'll are welcome tuh stay here fo' th'night if you're intuhrested. My couch folds out into uh nice bed. Othuhwise ya'll need a cab, cause it just isn' safe enough for ya'll tuh drive. Don't need tuh read no articles 'bout any therapists totalin' their cars." That wasn’t what Eli expected to hear. Weren’t they having sex? Wasn’t that the point of this adventure? Nicholas approached him and Eli gulped, feeling his stomach tighten in anticipation. Maybe he did plan on sleeping with him—just not in his bedroom. The other man’s fingers loosened his tie, his fingers popping the top button and exposing just enough skin that some of his fine chest hair showed. He was a reasonably hairy guy, but at least it wasn’t coarse. I could loan ya'll some pajamas if yuh like. Or ya'll can just sleep in this, or your boxers." So they weren’t having sex. Eli felt the blood beginning to pump through his groin suddenly grow cold. Had he done something wrong? Had he made Nicholas mad? Or was he just too boring for the handsome, exotic man’s taste? His stomach fell to the floor and he was afraid his disappointment would show on his already hang-dog face. "I got spare evry'thing. Toothbrushes and so on. So what'll it be? Am I pullin' out sheets or callin' a cab?" He might as well make the best of it. He hadn’t intended for this to turn into a slumber party, but he wasn’t going to force himself on Nicholas. And he didn’t want to be rude by turning down Nicholas’ hospitality. With a resigning wave of his hand, he gestured towards the couch. “I guess you’re pulling out sheets.” He forced a smile for Nicholas, but he couldn’t help being disappointed. Just when he thought things were going so well…

He helped Nicholas set up the pullout bed, feeling it would be rude to let Nicholas do all the work. They had another drink before Eli stumbled a little for the bathroom. He brushed his teeth with the spare toothbrush provided and relieved himself before heading back out to his crash site for the night. Loosening the tie the rest of the way, he slung it on the back of a chair once he’d slipped it from around his neck. “I think I drank too much…” he said softly to no one in particular, feeling like his head was spinning. He glanced up at Nicholas and smiled. “Thanks for letting me crash. And don’t worry about the pajamas. I usually sleep in my boxers anyway.” It didn’t occur to him to be shy about being so undressed in front of the man he had originally wanted to sleep with but was now apparently not sleeping with. He too tipsy to think much about modesty.

[NICHOLAS BELLEFONTAINE]

Though he outwardly made no obvious notion of it, Nick was pleased with how defeated Eli seemed. The boy had planned on on a little ren de vous and was let down that it didn't seem to be going according to plan. Nicholas didn't smile, though he felt like it, and didn't show any remorse for his actions. Eli wasn't pushing for what he wanted, and he'd be lucky to get it at all in the end. With the slight buzz Nicholas felt, there was a good chance Eli would get what he needed whether he asked for it or not. With a little wave towards the couch, Eli forced a smile and said “I guess you’re pulling out sheets.” Nick nodded and went to the closet to pull out what Eli needed for the evening.

Being a kind guest, Eli helped pull out the bed and get the sheets on. Nick set the spare toiletries in the bathroom and then poured them a last drink before bed. It was Eli's last chance to make a move, but he seemed hell bent on Nick doing all the work. In a way he was relieved that Eli let him make all the calls. He preferred it that way, but it also showed that Eli would be easy to control. He could hold onto his new toy for a long time because he was a complete pushover. When their drink was complete, Eli all but tripped his way to the bathroom and brushed his teeth while Nicholas cleaned up the glasses. When the boy returned he slipped the tie off, slinging it over a chair. The southerners eyes never left its prey as he began his intoxicated strip tease. “I think I drank too much…” Nick smirked and loosened his shirt buttons as he prepared to head to his room, staying an extra moment to watch the show and to see if Eli would ask for pajamas after all. “Thanks for letting me crash. And don’t worry about the pajamas. I usually sleep in my boxers anyway.” True to his words, Eli began unbuttoning his shirt and Nick stayed to watch a moment. "Then ya'll will really like them sheets. Very smooth." He offered feeling his cock twitch as the drunken stripping continued. In a moment Eli was down to his boxers and crawling beneath the sheets. "G'night." She said before shutting the lights and the living room and heading to the hall. "Make y'self at home." He purred down the hall before disappearing behind his closed bedrooms doors.

Once in his bedroom, Nick undressed completely and pulled on silk pajama pants. He went into his bathroom and brushed his teeth, washed his face and looked himself over. There was a part of him deep down inside that knew he should leave Eli alone. He shouldn't pull him along, the man didn't deserve it. He had been trained by therapists and psychiatrists over the years to actually have some sort of a conscience, but there was such a strong part of him that preferred doing the wrong thing. It felt so naturally right, and no amount of brainwashing would be able to stop what he had been bred to be. Nick turned and left the bathroom, going to his bed and sliding under the covers. Though his mind was buzzing, the alcohol began to do what t was supposed to. He sighed and felt himself relaxing. Maybe he wouldn't go out and play with his new toy. Maybe he would be strong and just go to bed, make Eli suffer and wonder and wait until they met again, and then maybe, just maybe, he'd fuck him. Sleep took him easily enough, and nature made up his mind for him.

It was nearly four in the morning when Nick woke up. He was still tired but his bladder was full. He didn't want to, but he forced himself to get up and relieve himself, knowing he'd wake again several times per hour until he did release the tension the liquor built up. While awake his mind wandered to the young man sleeping in his living room. Curiosity got the better of him, and though he was still tired, he made his way out into the hall to spy on the other man. All Nick could see of Eli was his bare shoulders. His face was sweet and handsome, even in sleep. He sat down and watched him sleeping so peacefully. There was a strange innocence to Eli that attracted Nicholas. He wanted to ruin it, but also wanted to steal it from him. Simply thinking about ruining Eli made him grow a little hard. Before he knew it, twenty minutes had passed, Nick watching Eli sleep all the wall, and his hand mindlessly rubbing the crotch of his pants as he thought of the other man and whether he should keep him tight within his clutches or ruin him like he did everyone that walked into his life. Selfishness was slowly winning the battle as his hand began to tug more fervently. Nick wasn't sure how much more he could take of his own mind battling. The only way to shut it up was to let it win, was to slide into bed with Eli and do what he knew he had to. Nick moved to the sofa bed and climbed onto it. He grabbed Eli's wrist firmly, bending his face down to speak directly into his ear. "Roll ovuh." He demanded in a rough whisper. Eli was clearly groggy, probably confused and definitely still a little drunk, but he complied, rolling onto his stomach. "Good boy." Nick purred, straddling the other mans back, one knee going on either buttocks. He leaned forward, grabbing both the others mans wrists and pressing them into the soft mattress of the pull out couch, his hard length pressing into the crease of Eli's ass. "Say the word, an' I'll get off. This nevuh happened. But if ya'll tell me tuh continue, there ain't no goin' back, yuh hear?" He warned, deciding that Eli would get to choose his participation level in this. Either way he belonged to Nicholas now, Eli just needed to decide how soon he was going to see that.

[ELI WESLEY]

Eli’s fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, not aware that Nicholas was watching him. “Then ya’ll will really like them sheets. Very smooth.” The slightly taller man smiled at his host as his fingers continued to pop buttons down his torso. “Thanks,” he offered softly. He slipped the shirt he was wearing from his shoulders, revealing a slightly hairy but athletically thick torso. He wasn’t ripped or anything, but Eli worked out enough to have some definition and tone to his body. He tossed the shirt onto the back of the chair with the tie and jacket he’d worn to the strip club and then worked to free himself from his pants. Soon he was down to nothing but his boxers, still unaware that there were eyes watching him intently. He bent over and slumped onto the surprisingly soft mattress and cool, smooth sheets. It was like sliding through water and he quickly felt himself relaxing. It wasn’t until he opened his eyes again that he noticed Nicholas still standing in the room with his very blue eyes fixated on him. Color flushed his cheeks as a brief moment of clarity hit him—he’d just given Nicholas a strip tease. Nicholas seemed satisfied as he smiled and turned to turn off the lights and walk down the hallway to what Eli could only assume was his room. “G’night. Make y’self at home.” He cleared his throat, pushing his nervous smile onto his face even in the dark. “Uh, thanks! Good night…” he called back halfheartedly. Just when he thought he was going to get laid again…The booze weighed heavier on his mind than his disappointment, however, and it wasn’t long before Eli had dropped into a deep sleep, sprawled across the pull-out bed carelessly.

Eli woke once a couple hours later to relieve his very full bladder. Judging by the silence of the apartment, Nicholas had fallen asleep too and Eli didn’t want to wake him. His dick was half hard from a very pleasant dream involving Angel and Nicholas crawling into bed with him, but he had no intention of embarrassing himself by pursuing anything with Nicholas now. He was only half awake anyway. With his bladder delightfully empty, he shuffled back to his temporary bed, curling up on his side with his back facing the hallway. It took less than a minute for him to drift back into his dream world where he found himself lost in one of Abby’s paintings. Everything around him was painted into life and a dark forest surrounded him on either side. He could hear laughter creeping out from behind the trees, but he couldn’t see the mouth it came from. It was getting closer by the minute and Eli could only see the darkness of the painted forest growing deeper. After what felt like an eternity of playing cat and mouse, he could feel the presence darting through the trees come sidling up behind him. “Roll ovuh.” The drawl finally gave away who it was that had been taunting him and Eli’s eyes opened at the feel of Nicholas’ hand holding his wrist down to the mattress. He turned his head to try and look at his handsome host, wondering how he had made it into the forest with him, but didn’t argue as he followed the command he’d been given. When he was on his stomach, he closed his eyes again, wondering when he’d fallen into a bed. “Good boy.” A smile briefly tugged at his lips before a heavy weight bore down into both of his butt cheeks. He groaned, about to protest, but was silenced by Nicholas grabbing both of his wrists and pushing them down into the mattress. His eyes opened once more, turning his head so he could try to see the man confining him. He finally felt the cloud of his grogginess disappearing as Nicholas’ length pressed into his backside seductively. Immediately his own cock began to harden and his face flushed with excitement. Nicholas wanted him…

“Say the word, an’ I’ll get off. This nevuh happened. But if ya’ll tell me tuh continue, there ain’t no goin’ back, yuh hear?” His dick strained against the mattress, forced into the soft padding by Nicholas’ weight at his back. From the way Nicholas was holding him down, he knew this wouldn’t be gentle. Nicholas was going to have his way with him in any way he wanted to and Eli wouldn’t be able to stop him once he started. Eli felt his excitement building. He wanted Nicholas to do anything and everything to him—there was no denying that with the way the alcohol was still addling his brain. He wanted Nicholas to use him…desperately. His stomach twisted, both nervous and excited beyond words. Eli swallowed hard, his hands gripping the sheets as he turned his head toward Nicholas as best he could. “Don’t stop…” he pleaded softly, steeling himself for everything that would follow those words.